Lead Specialist: Records, Risk and Reporting

absa; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa in South Africa seeks a Records, Risk and Reporting Lead Specialist to support governance, data risk controls, and regulatory readiness across the business. The role focuses on BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention, Destruction, and evidence management to keep the bank audit-ready and operationally effective.

You will coordinate reviews, prepare dashboards, engage stakeholders across risk, compliance, technology and operations, and drive continuous improvement of records and reporting processes.

Qualifications

• Relevant diploma or degree
• Additional certification in Records Management, Risk Management, Data Governance, Compliance or Information Governance would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Coordinate BRIAR activities with evidence tracking
• Support EUDA reviews with inventories, assessments, approvals and remediation actions
• Drive records retention compliance with approved retention requirements
• Support records destruction activities with validation, sign-off and reporting
• Maintain risks, issues, actions, decisions and control evidence
• Prepare management reports, dashboards and governance packs

Skills

Strong attention to detail

Stakeholder engagement

Reporting and analytics

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Commerce/Management

Relevant diploma or degree

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Belonging at Absa

Absa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.

Job Summary

The Records, Risk and Reporting Lead Specialist will be responsible for supporting the effective management of Records Governance, Data Risk controls, reporting obligations and regulatory readiness across the business. The role will focus on BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention, Records Destruction, Evidence Management, Risk Monitoring, Control Execution and Stakeholder Engagement to ensure the business remains compliant, audit-ready and operationally effective.

Job Description

Key Focus Areas

• BRIAR oversight, coordination and evidence tracking.
• EUDA governance, review coordination and control monitoring.
• Records retention implementation and compliance.
• Records destruction planning, tracking and execution support.
• Data and Records risk reporting.
• Issue, action and remediation tracking.
• Governance forum preparation and reporting packs.
• Audit, risk and regulatory evidence management.
• Stakeholder engagement across business, risk, compliance, technology and operations.
• Continuous improvement of records, risk and reporting processes.

Key Accountabilities

• Coordinate and monitor BRIAR activities, ensuring reviews are completed, evidence is maintained and actions are tracked to closure.
• Support EUDA reviews by ensuring inventories, assessments, approvals and remediation actions are complete and accurate.
• Drive records retention compliance by working with business areas to identify, classify and manage records in line with approved retention requirements.
• Support records destruction activities, including validation, business sign-off, control checks and reporting.
• Maintain accurate records of risks, issues, actions, decisions and control evidence.
• Prepare regular management reports, dashboards and governance packs covering records, risk, BRIAR, EUDA, retention and destruction progress.
• Track audit findings, risk actions and remediation commitments to ensure timely closure.
• Support the implementation of Data Management and Records Management standards, policies and procedures.
• Identify control gaps, process weaknesses and areas requiring escalation.
• Provide operational support to governance forums, including agenda preparation, minutes, action logs and reporting updates.

Operational Effectiveness

• Ensure timely execution of agreed records, risk and reporting activities.
• Improve the quality, consistency and completeness of evidence submitted by business stakeholders.
• Maintain disciplined tracking of actions, decisions, risks and dependencies.
• Support automation and simplification of manual reporting where possible.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, insightful and aligned to business, risk and governance requirements.
• Monitor performance against agreed timelines, standards and control expectations.

Good Governance

• Promote adherence to Data Management, Records Management, Risk and compliance standards.
• Ensure appropriate governance is applied to EUDA, BRIAR, retention and destruction processes.
• Maintain clear audit trails for reviews, approvals, evidence and decisions.
• Support readiness for internal audit, risk reviews and regulatory oversight.
• Escalate overdue actions, control gaps and non-compliance through the correct governance channels.
• Contribute to a strong control environment by embedding accountability and evidence-based reporting.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with business units to obtain evidence, resolve queries and drive timely completion of actions.
• Work closely with Data Management, Records Management, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology and Operations teams.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders by providing clear guidance, structured follow-up and practical support.
• Facilitate discussions to resolve blockers related to records, risk, retention, destruction, BRIAR and EUDA.
• Communicate requirements clearly and professionally across different levels of the organisation.

Qualifications and Education

• Relevant diploma or degree
• Additional certification in Records Management, Risk Management, Data Governance, Compliance, Audit or Information Governance would be advantageous.

Field of Study

Preferred fields include:

• Records and Information Management
• Data Management or Data Governance
• Risk Management
• Compliance or Governance
• Business Administration
• Information Systems
• Auditing or Internal Controls

Work Experience

• 5 - 8 years’ experience in Records Management, Risk Management, Governance, Compliance, Data Governance or Reporting.
• Experience working with BRIAR, EUDA, Records Retention, Records Destruction or similar Governance/Control processes would be advantageous.
• Experience preparing management reports, dashboards, governance packs or risk committee updates.
• Experience tracking audit findings, remediation actions, risks and control evidence.
• Experience working in a regulated environment, preferably financial services or banking.
• Strong understanding of policy implementation, control monitoring and evidence management.

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Good understanding of Governance, Risk and Control principles.
• Strong reporting and Analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and follow-up skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and escalation appropriately.
• Good problem-solving and process improvement mindset.
• High level of accountability, discipline and professionalism.
• Experience with Power BI would be advantageous.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies